Democrats Divide Over US Policy Toward Iran Amid Tensions Over Israel and Gaza

After nearly two years of deep divisions over the war in Gaza and support for Israel, Democrats are now at odds over how to approach Iran. Progressive members of the party are demanding a unified opposition to President Donald Trump’s consideration of a potential strike against Tehran’s nuclear program, while party leaders are taking a more cautious stance.

For two decades, US leaders across party lines have agreed that Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. Iran, a long-time adversary, supports groups responsible for attacks on Americans across the Middle East and poses a threat to Israel’s security. However, Trump’s open flirtation with joining Israel’s offensive against Iran threatens to create yet another sharp division within the Democratic Party, pitting Trump’s isolationist “Make America Great Again” base against more hawkish conservatives.

While progressives have voiced strong opposition to Trump’s potential military actions, party leadership is advocating for a cautious approach that involves Congress’s explicit approval before any use of force. Many prominent Democrats with presidential ambitions for 2028 remain silent on the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, signaling a reluctance to take firm public stances at this stage.

“Democrats are kind of hedging their bets,” said Joel Rubin, a former deputy assistant secretary of state under President Barack Obama and now a foreign policy strategist. “The base of the Democratic Party is so hostile to Israel’s actions in Gaza that openly supporting any unapproved war could backfire politically.”

Progressive Democrats are framing their opposition around Trump’s own words and policies. Representative Ro Khanna of California has called Trump’s consideration of an attack “a defining moment for our party” and introduced legislation alongside Republican Thomas Massie that prohibits the president from using US military force against Iran unless Congress explicitly declares war.

Khanna emphasized the importance of prioritizing American interests, criticizing the potential costs of war. “That’s going to cost this country a lot of money that should be spent here at home,” he said, hinting at his own presidential aspirations for 2028.

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent who has twice run for the Democratic presidential nomination, echoed concerns about Trump’s approach. Sanders reminded that during his inauguration, Trump promised to be “a peacemaker and a unifier,” and warned that supporting Netanyahu’s push for war against Iran would be a “catastrophic mistake.”

Sanders has reintroduced legislation to prohibit federal funding for military action against Iran and has criticized Israel’s recent strikes as unprovoked. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York once signed onto similar legislation but is currently holding back from endorsing any new bills.

Some argue that the Democratic Party should adopt a clear anti-war stance now, especially as Trump contemplates military intervention that appears to contradict his campaign promises of non-intervention. The growing internal debate reflects the wider uncertainty about the US’s role in the escalating Middle East tensions.